Officials investigating string of fires in Renton, asking public for help
Apr 5, 2021, 6:59 AM | Updated: Apr 6, 2021, 6:42 am
(KIRO 7 TV)
Highly-flammable vehicles appear to be the target of a suspected arsonist in Renton on Sunday.
KIRO 7 TV reported that the fires broke out around 6 a.m. along Grady Way. Four separate fires are under investigation, according to officials.
One of those fires burned two buses at the Greyhound Maintenance facility on Southwest Grady Way. Another fire destroyed a family’s taco truck a couple blocks over. The suspected arsonist also set fire to a vehicle and a storage shed at the Wetland Plant Cooperative and Native Plant Holding Facility.
“Three buses in one instance, a food truck in another, a semi-tractor in a third — those are all things that are going to burn with some ferocity,” Detective Robert Onishi told KIRO Radio.
The gate had been forced open to enter the Greyhound facility, Onishi said, and a bus set on fire, which in turn then caught a couple buses parked nearby on fire as well.
“That’s kind of disturbing in that you’re looking at a more purposeful kind of event there,” he said.
These fires all happened within an hour and a half, Onishi noted, in less than a mile radius.
Renton police are asking for any clues or video the public can provide. Officers are reviewing surveillance video they have collected for more clues. Tips can be called in to 425-430-7500.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting Renton police with the investigation.
Renton RFA, Tukwila Fire, Skyway Fire on scene of two separate commercial vehicle fires in the 1000 Blk of SW Grady Way. Several busses and a food truck involved. Fire Cause is currently under investigation. pic.twitter.com/rPxOMlqbrz
— Renton Fire PIO (@RentonRFA) April 4, 2021
KIRO 7 TV contributed to this report. This is a developing story.